Probability:
Basically
probability is a subject that deals with
uncertainty. It is the likelihood that
a particular event will occur. Probability
values are assigned on a scale from 0
to 1, with values near 0 indicating that
an event is unlikely to occur and those
near 1 indicating that an event is likely
to take place.
In simple words probability is the ratio
of "the number of ways the outcome
may occur" to "the number of
total possible outcomes" for that
event. Probability is expressed as a fraction
or decimal.
Example:
1)
Suppose there are 12 balls in a bag numbered
as follows: 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5,
6, 6, and 6. If we take out one ball at
random from the bag. What is the probability
of drawing a ball numbered 1? There are
possible outcomes for drawing 1, since
there are two balls numbered 1. The total
possible number of outcomes is 12, since
there are 12 balls.
Thus the probability of drawing a 1 from
the bag is the ratio 2/12 = 1/6 = .1667
2)
A card is drawn from a pack of well shuffled
52 playing cards.
a)
What
is the total number of possible outcomes
of this experiment?
There are 52 cards therefore there are
52 equally likely possible outcomes of
this experiment.
b)
What
is the probability that the card is a
black card?
There are 26 black cards in the pack out
of 52 so the probability is 26/52 = 1/2
= 0.5
c)
What is the probability that the card
is a red ace?
There are two red aces, the ace of heart
and the ace of diamond so the number of
outcome of having a red ace is 2, and
probability is 2/52 = 1/26.
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